Plant response to environmental stress is related to the microclimatological conditions in the plant canopy, consequently the effects of management practices on the plant canopy and microclimate are of considerable significance to crop production in arid and semi-arid regions. The developmental responses of cotton cultivars to irrigation and row spacing were evaluated along with the microclimate parameters of temperature, relative humidity, windspeed, and light interception to determine cause and effect relationships between management practices, plant development and microclimate.